Taliban Official: Afghan Refugees Are Not a Burden on Host Countries
Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, acting head of the Taliban’s Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation, has asserted that Afghan refugees are not a burden on host countries but instead play a significant role in boosting their economies. He made these remarks during a graduation ceremony at a religious school in Paktia province.
According to Abdul Kabir, aid provided in the past by certain host countries was primarily driven by their own national interests. He added that Afghan refugees have advanced through hard work and now own workshops and shops, stressing that no country can claim they are a drain on society.
“No Afghan has gone door-to-door asking for help,” he said. “Host countries collect taxes from Afghans and use that revenue to grow their own economies.”
The Taliban official urged Afghan refugees and investors to return home and contribute to the reconstruction of the country, agricultural development, and job creation. He emphasized that voluntary repatriation could help improve the economic situation and reduce the prices of essential food items, including wheat.
His comments come amid increasing pressure on Afghan refugees from neighboring countries, where officials have recently labeled migrants as a “burden” on host societies. Immigration experts argue that such positions not only contradict humanitarian principles and international law but also create widespread concern among Afghan refugee communities. Meanwhile, the Taliban administration, which faces criticism for its limited capacity to provide services and employment opportunities, is under fire for inviting refugees to return despite lacking the infrastructure needed to support large-scale repatriation.
